Javad Nekounam of Iran, Korean Kim Do-heon, Malek Maaz of Saudi Arabia and Syrian Jehad Al Hussein made the cut to round off the 16-strong list.

Nekounam scored a goal in Iran’s 2-0 win over Kuwait while Al Hussein struck two as Syria beat UAE 3-1 but failed to advance due to an inferior goals record.

Saudi Arabia’s Yasser Al Qahtani, the reigning AFC Player of the Year, continues to be in the roster alongwith Mark Schwarzer of Australia and Yuji Nakazawa of Japan.

The winner will be announced on November 25 in Shanghai at an awards gala.

SEVENTH LIST OF CONTENDERS FOR AFC PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2008
(in alphabetical order; revised list as of June 24, 2008)

1. Ahmad Ajab (Kuwait and Al Qadsia – Kuwait)
2. Ala’a Hubail (Bahrain and Kuwait SC – Kuwait)
3. Ali Al Habsi (Oman and Bolton Wanderers – England)
4. Ebrahim Sadeghi (Iran and Saipa – Iran)
5. Hong Yong-jo (DPR Korea and FK Bezanija – Serbia)
6. Ismael Matar (UAE and Al Wahda – UAE)
7. Javad Nekounam (Iran and Osasuna – Spain)
8. Jehad Al Hussein (Syria and Al Karama – Syria)
9. Kim Do-heon (Korea Republic and WBA – England)
10. Odil Ahmedov (Uzbekistan and Pakhtakor – Uzbekistan)
11. Malek Maaz (Saudi Arabia and Al Ahli - Saudi Arabia)
12. Mark Schwarzer (Australia and Fulham – England)
13. Rashid Saleem (Bahrain and Al Najma – Bahrain)
14. Server Djeparov (Uzbekistan and Kuruvchi – Uzbekistan)
15. Yasser Al Qahtani (Saudi Arabia and Al Hilal – Saudi Arabia)
16. Yuji Nakazawa (Japan and Yokohama F Marinos – Japan)